“I saw him two months ago at his sister Janice’s wedding, where he was still attempting to be life and soul of the party despite being on portable oxygen and made sure he knew how much he meant to us all.

“Our daughter Rose flew home from San Francisco to be with him over the last few weeks and I know he was surrounded by so much love from his second wife Maria, their son Ted, his sister Janice, his twin brother Jeff and his father Colin.”

Image caption Chegwin was a familiar face on children’s television

Fellow Swap Shop presenter Noel Edmonds said in a statement: “I’ve lost my first real telly chum and I’m certain I’m not alone in shedding tears for a true telly legend.

“The greatest achievement for any TV performer is for the viewers to regard you as a friend and today millions will be grateful for Keith’s contribution to their childhood memories and like me they will mourn the passing of a friend.”

Ricky Gervais, who created the series Extras which Chegwin starred in, described him as a “national treasure”.

‘Great character’

Gaby Roslin, who worked with Chegwin on The Big Breakfast, described him as “so generous and kind” and a “happy and joyous man”.

Image copyrightPAImage caption Chegwin had two children, including a daughter with his first wife Maggie Philbin

John Craven, who worked with Chegwin on Swap Shop told BBC News that his colleague “never lost his cool. I never saw Keith when he wasn’t happy. He was a great, great character.”

He added: “We were great friends for many years, but we lost touch a bit and [his death] came as a huge shock for me.”

Presenter Chris Evans, who worked with Chegwin on the Big Breakfast, tweeted: “Very sad and shocked to hear of the passing of Keith Chegwin. The king of outside broadcast.”